Pam's Party Line for Jan. 19, 2014

Pam's Party Line for Jan. 19, 2014

Downtown parties get new year going

Jim Brandt and Mary Ann Sternberg, both longtime supporters of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, reigned as King and Queen Palooza over the night of merriment known as Laurel Street Palooza. They made their grand entrance on motorcycles driven by friends Rob Guercio and Bobby Smith. Now, seeing Jim on a motorcycle wasn’t too big a stretch, but the very proper Mary Ann decked out in her leathers was another story. Ya just gotta love it!!

Adding to the excitement was the Baton Rouge Flash Mob, led by the King of Dance — Leonard Augustus, in a memorable performance to “What Does the Fox Say?,” which provided the event’s theme this year. Once the dancing in the street got underway, it didn’t stop until music man Bob Blanchard pulled the plug.

Providing music inside the Old Bogan Firehouse, HQ to the Arts Council, was the Michael Foster Project. Across the street in the atrium of Chase Bank was Righteous Buddha followed by Ben Bell & the Stardust Boys.

Normally, I would have been dancing in the street until lights out myself, but this year I had to help judge the BUST Breast Cancer bra art fundraiser benefiting the Woman’s Hospital Foundation. It took place at the Hartley-Vey Studios at the Manship Theatre. Helping pick the winning entries were Josh Holder, owner of Time Warp Boutique, and Casey Phillips, founder of the Baton Rouge Walls Project.

This was the second year for this really unique fundraiser, an idea of Heather Kleinpeter Savoy, and the participating artists really kicked things up a notch. After much deliberation, our selections were made. “Breast Overall” honors went to Amy Strother and Kristy Keman for “Salvage Beauty”; “Most Mammerable” to Meghan Rolfs for “defense”; “Most Titillating” to Natalie Clay for “Bright Red Lips & Big Hair”; and “Cups of Creativity” to Becky Parsons Gottsegen for “The Girls.”

Items for Pam’s Party Line must be received by 9 a.m. the Monday preceding the run date. High-resolution digital photos should be emailed to pbordelon@theadvocate.com. Hard copy photos should be dropped off at or mailed to The Advocate, 7290 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70821. Events will run no later than four weeks after they have taken place. The date, place of the event and a contact name and daytime phone number must be included. Photos will be used at the discretion of The Advocate. Submitted photos can be published in The Advocate or at TheAdvocate.com.